Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Waffle Fail and Phone Calls

I wanted waffles for brunch, today, so I opened the new package of pancake mix and hauled the waffle iron out from the kitchen cabinet.  Then, I mixed up the batter per the recipe on the box (2 cups pancake mix, 1 1/3 cup water, 2 tablespoons oil), heated up the waffle iron, greased it with some vegetable oil as I usually do, poured in a ladle of batter and waited for the red light indicating it is baking to go off.

When the light went off, I tried to open the lid of the waffle iron.  And tried.  And tried again!  Finally, it opened and the waffle was stuck to the lid!  I tried to pry if off with the spatula and it wouldn't come off.  I tried to pry it off with a plastic knife and the knife began to melt.  I tried to pry it out with my fingers, but the iron was too hot!

So, I unplugged the waffle iron, turned it upside down to make it easier and began to chip at it:


Stuck!

I managed to get most of it off:

Waffle Crumbs
I ate the bits I pried off and wondered if I'd have to buy a new waffle iron.  But then, I poured some water onto the baked on waffle bits still left on the iron.  After several minutes, I was able to scoop out the soggy bits.  Then, I washed the waffle iron, dried it, re-oiled it with a LOT of oil and a bit of butter, as well, and poured another ladle of batter to see if it worked.  It broke apart and a small portion got stuck, but I was able to get most of the waffle out!

Better
Then, I oiled the waffle iron again and finally:

That's more like it!
I guess I didn't oil the waffle iron sufficiently that first time?

I made two more waffles from the batter I had mixed up.  They are in the fridge for tomorrow's brunch (I reheat them in the toaster).   

In the afternoon, I called my sister-in-law to ask after my brother.  She said he's still in ICU, but they have removed the ventilator tubes.  He's still unable to speak; she said he might need speech therapy.  She said he's been very angry and frustrated, but that is to be expected, I suppose?  I wish I lived closer so I could help her in some way; as it is, all I could do was tell her that they are both in my prayers and urge her to take care of herself during this stressful time.

I also called the temple to give the monks the good news about my mammogram results.  The monk with whom I spoke said they will continue to pray for me.  My plan is to wait until after I've seen the surgeon and the oncologist and then, hold a prayer service in thanksgiving, at the end of the month.

I also received a phone call from one of my nieces.  She lives out of state, but she's planning to visit her mother (my half-sister) in a couple of weeks and wanted to know if I'd be free to get together for a visit.  We made tentative plans to meet for lunch, but we'll confirm plans closer to the date.  I haven't seen her in at least 5 or 6 years (we couldn't get together the last time she visited her mother), so it'll be nice to see her and her sons, again. 

My aunt called me in the evening to, once again, thank me for the birthday gift I gave her (in addition to the tote bag), and to say she really enjoyed the evening and the dinner, yesterday.  She wants to take me out to dinner when she and cousin return from their trip to France!  A celebratory dinner, she said. 

One of my other cousins called to give me the funeral details for the family friend who passed away.  It will be held this weekend, she said.  She's not sure if her daughter will be available to drive her, but if she is, then, I can ride with her; if not I'll drive us. 

I called one of my friends to check on her, but she was on the phone with one of her daughters, she said.  She called me back, later and we chatted a bit. 

Later I video chatted with my daughter.

In between phone calls, I sewed a bit more on the quilt, watered the back garden, took the trash cans to the curb, spoke with one of my neighbors who was out watering his front lawn, and applied a warm, wet compress to my eye as several of you suggested I do. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Good mammogram results in the mail
- I don't have to buy another waffle iron
- A slightly cooler day
- Lots of phone calls and keeping in touch with family and friends
- My brother is recovering as well as can be expected

How was your Monday?  Have you struggled to get your waffles out of the waffle iron? 

10 comments:

  1. How cool was your slightly cooler day?

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    1. It was in the 90s as opposed to the 100s. :) It meant I could wait until early afternoon to turn on the fan, instead of turning it on as soon as I woke up! :D

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  2. I have had the exact same problem with most of the waffles I've baked this year, it's been so frustrating! I tried oiling the waffle maker some more and it still gave me the same problem so I got a new waffle iron at the thrift store and again, same problem! Maybe I'll saturate it in oil and let it sit for a while and see if it makes a difference. It's a PITA to clean up though, isn't it?!
    I keep on being amazed at the sheer number of relatives that you have and how often you see them or talk to them, lol. You are loved but after following your blog for a couple of years now, now that doesn't amaze me. Have a great day, Bless. I hope your 3rd batch of waffles is spectacular!

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    1. Nathalie, I remembered you having the same problem and I thought of you when my waffle got stuck! And, of course, it was your picture of Greg's breakfast on Sunday before your hike that made me want a waffle (note that I never seem to crave your healthier wraps!). I hate trying to clean the waffle irons and mine always leaves a pool of brown oil or butter on the counter from dripping off the lid, since I don't use a spray. Turn the waffle iron on medium, oil it well and leave it on for a minute or two to re-season the waffle iron; that's what I did.

      Ha, ha, I don't think I have that many relatives and I tend to talk to the same ones all the time! But I do have 3 first cousins (from my mother's side) and 3 second cousins (from my father's side), here in the L.A. area. Of the 3 first cousins, I am closest to the one who called me yesterday, with the funeral arrangements; she lives practically across the street from me (I bought my house to be near her, but, unfortunately, her husband is angry with me, so I don't visit her, anymore!) Of the 3 second cousins, I am closest to the one girl cousin (the other two are boys); it was she and her mother who visited on Sunday. The cousin who moved to Florida, recently, is also a second cousin from my father's side. Clear as mud? Maybe I should start identifying them with their initials or something! :D

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  3. The last time I used my waffle iron was to make brownies (thanks for nothing Pinterest) It was a disaster and I spent about 3 days putting water in the iron, heating it and scrubbing baked on brownies from the grate. When it was finally clean I put it up and have not used it since. (I think that was 3 years ago)

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    1. Oh, Anne, I'm sorry for laughing, but that is too funny! Thanks for the warning about the brownies! I read that one can make cookies in the waffle iron, too, but I haven't tried!

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  4. Those waddle irons can be so finicky! But....now you have me wanting waffles! LOL!

    Continued prayers for your brother.

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    1. Thank you, Debbie.

      I guess, the last time I cleaned it, I must have scratched the non-stick finish? This time, I just wiped it with a damp sponge and left it at that! Pancakes are easier, but waffles are special, aren't they?

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  5. Now I am wanting waffles but I got rid of my waffle iron as it wasn't the greatest. We had pancakes when DS and family were here at the weekend and I used a standard recipe with gluten free flour. It worked out well, thank goodness. One afternoon that was too cool for the beach, DGD and I made gluten free apple cupcakes, using a recipe from a children's library book she brought with her, but substituting the flour again so her parents could also enjoy them. We had fun, she did most of the work under supervision and they turned out well. It was neat to get her to check they were done, with a toothpick.

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    1. Bushlady, maybe you can treat yourself to a breakfast of waffles at a restaurant where they serve them! Glad you were able to make the pancakes and cupcakes with gluten free flour and they turned out well. What fun to bake with your granddaughter! I'm sure she enjoyed it, too. I was watching an episode of the British baking show on TV, the other day - such lovely cakes and goodies!

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